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Interview with Jim Wildes
Jim was born in July 1923 in Burton on Trent and was the eldest of six children. His father served in the First World War. When Jim left school aged 14, he joined the Boys Brigade which had a Royal Air Force section and he had the chance to fly in…
Interview with Bluey Mottershead
Born on a farm in Shropshire, his best friend from his youth joined the Royal Air Force as aircrew and was killed at RAF Honington when a German aircraft bombed the station. A desire for revenge made him enlist for flying duties in January 1941. He…
Interview with Ronald Davis
Ron volunteered for the Royal Air Force at eighteen. Because of his eyesight, he was unsuitable for aircrew and became an airframe fitter. After assessment at RAF Cardington, he went to Bournemouth for drilling and firearms training. He was posted…
Interview with Eric Clarke
Eric was born in Doncaster and had a difficult childhood. He was attracted by nearby RAF Finningley and decided he wanted to join the RAF when war was imminent. He was registered as an aircraftman second class and trained to be a wireless operator.…
Interview with Frederick Ball
Frederick Ball grew up in Yorkshire and trained as a motor mechanic, before he joined the RAF in 1939. He completed two tours with 44 and 49 Squadrons, as a wireless operator flying from RAF Waddington and RAF Scampton.
Interview with Kenneth Angus
Kenneth Angus lived in Hull, and was 12 when war was declared. He discusses life on a farm after being evacuated, the bombing of Hull and his brother Harry Angus, who was killed flying as a wireless operator / air gunner with 44 Squadron from RAF…
Charles Godfey's observer's and air gunner's flying log book
Observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Pilot Officer Godfrey from 3 of February 1941 to 25 of September 1945 detailing training schedule, instructional duties and operations flown. Aircraft flown were Dominie, Proctor, Wellington, Hampden,…
Peter Hattersley's pilot's flying log book
Pilot's log book for Wing Commander Peter Hattersley, covering the period 10 April 1937 to 24 September 1948. It details his flying training, operations flown and other flying duties. He was stationed at Hanworth Park, RAF Reading, RAF Netheravon,…
Peter Hattersley's Service Diary
A service diary written by Peter Hattersley covering the period from November 1930 to 24 September 1948.Initially he served in the Royal Engineers but in February 1936 he joined the RAF. It covers his training and operations including a newspaper…
Handley Page Hampden No 50 Squadron Lindholme and Swinderby
Left page title 'Handley Page Hampden No 50 Squadron Lindholme and Swinderby, 1941'.
Top - pilot wearing heavy jacket and flying helmet in the opened cockpit of a Hampden. Caption 'Sergeant Pilot'.
Middle - two aircrew and two ground crew…
Top - pilot wearing heavy jacket and flying helmet in the opened cockpit of a Hampden. Caption 'Sergeant Pilot'.
Middle - two aircrew and two ground crew…
Hampden aircraft and crews
Left page.
Top left - head and shoulders portrait of Sergeant Stephen Dawson wearing tunic with pilot brevet and side cap. Captioned 'Brand new wings, June 40'. Top right - looking down on aircrew wearing flying helmet in the rear gunners position…
Top left - head and shoulders portrait of Sergeant Stephen Dawson wearing tunic with pilot brevet and side cap. Captioned 'Brand new wings, June 40'. Top right - looking down on aircrew wearing flying helmet in the rear gunners position…
Lancaster 97 Squadron and Hampden aircraft and crews
Left page title 'Lancaster 97 Squadron, PFF, Bourne'. Top left - full length image of Pilot Officer Stephen Dawson wearing tunic and peaked cap standing in front of a Lancaster with open bomb doors. Captioned 'Pilot Officer'. Top right - a Lancaster…
Navigator's desk
The desk used by a navigator on a Hampden. On the desk is paperwork and a chart. On the reverse 'The navigator's office in a Hampden (ground floor) The pilot's seat is on the first floor and slightly aft of the navigator's den.'
Hampdens in flight
Air-to-air view of two Hampdens in flight over countryside. On the reverse 'The rest of the flight near York'.
Hampden
Starboard side of a Hampden L4194 parked on the ground. In the background are more aircraft and part of a hangar.
Hampden cockpit interior
The cockpit and instrument panel of a Handley Page Hampden. On the reverse '"The Office" of the Handley Page "Hampden" with which 106 is now re-armed. Note all the levers, nobs, handles, buttons, switches, tits, and so on, which one is expected to…
Peter Hattersley in Hampden cockpit
A view of the rear of Peter Hattersley seated in the cockpit of a Hampden aircraft. On the reverse 'Myself, flying a Hampden. The slide which deposits one into the navigator's box below, is just behind the pilot's seat. You slide down on your…
Stephen Dawson's pilot's flying log book. Two
Pilots flying log book for Stephen Dawson, covering the period from 6 April 1942 to 30 August 1944. Detailing his instructor duties, flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Swanton Morley, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Swinderby, RAF…
Stephen Dawson's pilot's flying log book. One
Pilots flying log book for Stephen Dawson, covering the period from 11 June 1939 to 30 March 1942. Detailing his flying training, operations and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Southampton, RAF Hastings, RAF Hatfield, RAF Little…
Stephen Dawson's memoir notebook
The notebook contains written accounts of 32 operations to targets in Germany, Italy and France between June and November 1943 and a list of his crew. Accounts include bomb loads and descriptions of operations including Pathfinder operations while on…
81 aircrew in front of a Hampden
81 aircrew, officers and non commissioned officers in four rows in front of a Hampden. Two engines are visible and behind is an open hangar door. On the reverse, names are underlined in red, green or both colours.
Interview with Simson Reid
Simson Reid was born in Scotland and was able to have a flight with Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus which although short, fostered an interest in aviation. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force and was posted to flying Hampdens as an air gunner. As…
Interview with Frank Mottershead
Frank Mottershead grew up in Australia and volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force. He flew operations as a wireless operator with 463 Squadron at RAF Waddington. The whole crew had a tradition of always flying with a gold kangaroo pendant in…
Interview with Mary Ellis
Mary Wilkins Ellis was born in Oxfordshire and became interested in aviation at a very early age. She experienced her first flight with Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus. Mary learned to fly while still at school and obtained her licence in 1938. When…
Interview with George Crooks
George Crooks was an apprentice electrician before volunteering for the Royal Air Force at the age of eighteen. After his training he served as an armourer with 50 Squadron at RAF Swinderby and later RAF Skellingthorpe. He later worked experimenting…